6:46 am, December 5, 2025
Frasers shrugs off retail woes as luxury brand returns to growth
High street giant Frasers said international growth and an improving luxury market has helped it shrug off ‘tough’ conditions for retailers.
The retail group, which owns brands including Sports Direct and Game, reported an increase in sales for the first half of its financial year.
Revenues totalled £2.6bn for the six months to October 26, up by 5% compared with the year prior.
Household energy bills to rise after watchdog approves £28bn investment
Britain’s energy watchdog has given the green light to an initial £28bn of investment to upgrade UK energy infrastructure, but revealed the move will push up network charges on household bills by £108.
In its final verdict on price controls for energy network firms over the next five years, Ofgem has increased the allowed investment spend from the initial £24bn that was provisionally given the go ahead in the summer.
It said the higher investment level will see £17.8bn spent on gas transmission and distribution networks in the five years to 2031, with a further £10.3bn used to strengthen the UK’s high-voltage electricity network.
Skoda pays tribute to old 100 saloon with modern-day electric Concept
Skoda has revealed a modern take on the brand’s first ever one millionth-selling model with the 100 Concept.
The original 100 was the firm’s four-door saloon that went on-sale in 1969 and was the first Skoda to sell more than one million units.
The 100 Concept has been inspired by that car, and is a 3D model while incorporating Skoda’s ‘Modern Solid’ design language. There is a four-element lighting signature and full-width light bars on the front and back of the car, which pay subtle references to the chrome accents on the original 100. Meanwhile, the oval front and rear graphics are also a nod to the model from the 1960s.
The markets
The FTSE 100 closed higher on Thursday, despite downbeat construction data, amid growing conviction of a US interest rate cut next week.
The FTSE 100 index closed up 18.80 points, 0.2%, at 9,710.87. The FTSE 250 ended up 69.54 points, 0.3%, at 22,070.99, and the AIM All-Share closed up 0.26 of a point at 749.43.
The pound was quoted higher at 1.3353 US dollars at the time of the London equities close on Thursday, compared to 1.3342 US dollars on Wednesday.
Starmer: Novichok poisoning inquiry shows UK must be vigilant to Russian threats
The inquiry into the 2018 Novichok poisoning of Dawn Sturgess shows the UK must ‘remain vigilant’ to ‘reckless’ Russian hostile activity on UK soil, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The family of Ms Sturgess, meanwhile, said ‘there must be reflection and change’ as they criticised the lack of recommendations in the public inquiry’s final report.
The 44-year-old’s death followed the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal, his daughter Yulia and then-police officer Nick Bailey, who were poisoned in Salisbury in March of the same year.
BBC supports decision allowing Israel’s Eurovision participation amid boycott
The BBC has said it supports the ‘collective decision’ allowing Israel to participate at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest as other countries launched a boycott.
Ireland, The Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia announced they were pulling out of the singing competition following the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) general assembly in Geneva on Thursday, which discussed the future of the competition.
According to reports, a majority of EBU members voted against a proposal to hold a vote to ban Israel from competing.
Thursday on Car Dealer
Which car dealers make the most profit? The Car Dealer Top 100 2025 details revealed
The most profitable retailers in the UK have been revealed in this year’s Car Dealer Top 100 – and the biggest just got bigger! Click to see the full list.
Vauxhall MD Steve Catlin departs after just six months as Eurig Druce re-takes control of brand
Vauxhall has announced the shock departure of managing director Steve Catlin after just six months in the role.
New car registrations drop in November as experts tip Budget to stunt demand further
The UK’s new car market shrunk in November, with registrations falling for the sixth time this year.
Weather
A few showers linger in far north-east Scotland today, but most areas start dry with brighter spells in the east, reports BBC Weather. This afternoon winds strengthen as rain pushes in from the west.
Tonight stays cloudy, wet and blustery at first; rain moves north-east then later clears to scattered, mainly western showers.
